How-To: Access your Android phone’s SD card on Windows

Most of our readers probably know how to access the data on their Android phone’s SD (microSD actually) card on Windows. On the other hand as our site is accessed by both newbies and experts, it is our wish to serve both groups. That said, from time to time we’ll be publishing how-to articles to help our readers get the most of their mobile devices.

Anyway, as I said today we’ll explain how to access the data stored on your smartphone’s microSD card. First of all, you should know the process can be completed even without a phone – a memory card reader could be used just as well. However, removing memory cards from your phone can be a pain and in that sense using a USB cable is much easier.

Here’s how to do it:

Connect the Android device to the computer via USB.

Your phone will detect the connection and ask you whether you want to “Mount” the memory card or not. Some Android phones may even ask you several options like do you only want to charge the phone, access the data on the phone, use the phone as modem, etc. Again in this instance you do want to select the option which gives you access to the data stored on the phone and its memory card.

Once you’re done with this, your phone will appear as a “Removable Disk” in Windows which you can access just like any USB drive.

If you did make some changes with the files, it’s important not to simply detach the Android device because there is potential of data corruption. Instead, you should “Eject” the phone is by right-clicking on the “Removable Disk” icon in Windows Explorer. Good luck! 😉